Unease in Ford Kenya over Cabinet nominees

A rift has emerged within Ford Kenya leadership in Trans Nzoia county following the nomination of Dr Debra Mulongo as Health Cabinet Secretary to replace Susan Nakhumicha.

Leaders supporting the nomination of Mulongo said President William Ruto has proven his commitment to gender equity, going by the number of women in the list of 11 Cabinet nominees.

"We commend the President for retaining a woman from Trans Nzoia as a nominee for CS Health docket," said nominated MCA Margaret Wanjala.

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Elizabeth Makokha from Cherang'any sub-county said as women of Ford Kenya, they are proud that the President is keen on promoting their inclusion in governance structures across the appointive positions.

However, some party members said that the Health docket should have been given to former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, arguing he is more suited to represent Trans Nzoia.

A recent meeting between Dr Wamalwa and his political rival Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, in Nairobi, with Bishop Emeritus Maurice Crowley sent mixed signals to the Lion party.

The former MP who flew the Ford Kenya party flag during the Trans Nzoia governor elections in 2022 lost to Natembeya who vied on the DAP-K ticket.

A confidant of Dr Wamalwa, Joseph Pepela, criticized the Cabinet nominations, accusing the party leader and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, of ‘taking members of Trans Nzoia for a ride.’

Pepela has since been axed as the county secretary of the Ford Kenya party in Trans Nzoia.